Plaiting apparatus



(No Model.)

0. T. RANEY.

PLAITING APPARATUS.

No. 320,689. PtentedJune 23, 1885.

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UNITED STATESy PATENT OFFICE. y

OLLIE T. RANEY, OF MELISSA, TEXAS.

PLAITING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,689,` dated June 23` 1885.

Application tiled January 3l, 1885. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that l, OLLIE T. RANEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Melissa, in the county of Collin and State of rleXas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plaiting Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to plaiting apparatus; and it consists in the improvements hereinafter fully described and setiorth, whereby a cheap, durable, and effective apparatus is provided which is readily adjustable to make different lengths of plaits,and wherein the use of folding-knives is dispensed with.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is aperspective view ofthe apparatus. Fig. 2 shows the frame folded up when not in use. Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modification 5 and Figs. et and 5 are detail views of the springclamps for holding the cloth.

A A are parallel bars, which are each provided with a longitudinal series of perforations, a. A third bar, B, is secured transversely across the beams A A, near one end thereof, by pivot-connections, as shown in Fig. l.

B refers to a fourth beam, which is secured transversely across the beams A A, and parallel with the beam B. This latter beam B is not secured permanently to the beamsA A, but is attached thereto by means of pins b, located at each end, and each engaging with one of the perforations a. Each of the beams B B is provided with a metallicstrip, C C', which extends nearly the entire length of its respective beam, and is attached at its respective ends to the same. Eaclrof said metallic strips is bent along its length to present a series of verticallyinclined converging ribs or projections, c, between each of which an interval of the metallic strip occurs which is parallel with the face of the adjacent bar, so that said strip can have a bearing against the face of the same. The bar B isprovided on one side with two loops, d, each of which has hinged thereto a brace-rod, e, the free end of which is hooked to engage with a loop, f, located on the side of the adjacent bar A. This construction furnishes a strong frame which can be foldedup into a compact form when not in use. To fold up the frame the removable screw-pins b at the ends of the beam B are removed from their holes in the side bars, A, the brace-rods care unhooked,and the frame can then be folded up, as shown in Fig. 2. v

As represented iu Fig. 1, the ribs c all incline in one direction to make ordinaryplaiting.

To use the device the bar B is adjusted on the bars A relative to the bar B, at the proper place for giving the desired length of plait-s, and then secured in position by means of the bolts or locking-pins which enter one of the holes a in each series. The cloth to be plaited is then folded successively over the inclined ribs e, so that the folds or plaits will be parallel with the bars A. To retain the material in proper position, a series of spring-clips, E, Figs. 4 and 5, are employed to hold the material on each rib until the plaits are secured by bastingthreads or otherwise. The clip is represented as consisting of two jaws, i, which are centrally pivoted together, and normally held in cont-act with each other at one end by means of a spring, j, interposed between the rear portions of the jaws back of the pivot. By pressing the rear portions of the jaws together the front portions of the saine will be separated to grasp the inclined ribs and hold the cloth in its folded position thereon.

It will be readily understood that the metallic strips C may be bent to accord with any ofthe approved styles of plaiting.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be noticed that the metallic strip is bent to provide for what is familiarly known as a box-plait]7 the ribs being oppositely inclined from the center ont to the end.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. llhe combination, ina plaiti ng apparatus, of a fixed transverse bar, a second transverse bar adapted to be ladjusted relative thereto, and means for securing the said adjustment, each of said bars being provided with a trans verse metallic strip bent to form inclined ribs, substantially as set forth.

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2. The combination, in a plaitng apparatus, of metallic strips bent to present inclined ribs, and spring-clip devices adapted to engage said ribs to hold the material when folded thereon, substantially as set forth.

3. -The combination, in aplaiting apparatus, of an adjustable folding frame having two parallel bars provided with metallic strips bent to present ribs, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, in a plaiting` apparatus, of the bars A, having holes a therein, the fixed bar B, the adjustable bar B', provided with pins b, the hinged braces e, and the metallic strips C and C', substantially as setl forth.

j, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof l afix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OLLIE T. RANEY.

Vitnc'sses:

T. M. ScoTT, L. A. SCOTT. 

